Reducing quantum control for spin-spin entanglement distribution

We present a protocol that sets maximum stationary entanglement between remote spins through scattering of mobile mediators without initialization, post-selection or feedback of the mediators' state. No time-resolved tuning is needed and, counterintuitively, the protocol generates two-qubit singlet states even when classical mediators are used. The mechanism responsible for this effect is resilient against non-optimal coupling strengths and dephasing affecting the spins. The scheme uses itinerant particles and scattering centres and can be implemented in various settings. When quantum dots and photons are used a striking result is found: injection of classical mediators, rather than quantum ones, improves the scheme efficiency.

Preparation and characterisation of novel thick sol-gel titania film photocatalysts

The preparation and characterization of thick (9 mum), clear, mechanically robust and photocatalytically active films of nanocrystalline anatase titania are described. XRD and SEM analysis show the films comprise 13 nm particles of anatase TiO2. Thin (54 nm) films of the 'paste' TiO2, along with sol-gel titania films made by a more traditional route are also prepared and characterised. All titania films mediate the photocatalytic destruction of stearic acid with a quantum yield of 0.0016 +/- 0.0003. using either 365 nm (i.e. BLB) or 254 nm (germicidal) light. P25 TiO2 films also appear to mediate the same process with a similar formal quantum efficiency. Of all the films tested, the thick paste TiO2 films are the most ideally suited for use with near UV light, for reasons which are discussed. All the titania films tested exhibit photoinduced superhydrophilicity.

Spray Congealed Lipid Microparticles with High Protein Loading: Preparation and Solid State Characterization

The spray-congealing technique, a solvent-free drug encapsulation process, was successfully employed to obtain lipid-based particulate systems with high (10–20% w/w) protein loading. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was utilised as model protein and three low melting lipids (glyceryl palmitostearate, trimirystin and tristearin) were employed as carriers. BSA-loaded lipid microparticles were characterised in terms of particle size, morphology and drug loading. The results showed that the microparticles exhibited a spherical shape, mean diameter in the range 150–300 µm and an encapsulation efficiency higher than 90%. Possible changes in the protein structure as a result of the manufacturing process was then investigated for the first time using UV spectrophotometry in fourth derivative mode and FT-Raman spectroscopy. The results suggested that the structural integrity of the protein was maintained within the particles. Thermal analysis indicated that the effect of protein on the thermal properties of the carriers could be detected. Spray-congealing could thus be considered a suitable technique to produce highly BSA-loaded microparticles preserving the structure of the protein.

Quantum circuits for spin and flavor degrees of freedom of quarks forming nucleons

We discuss the quantum-circuit realization of the state of a nucleon in the scope of simple simmetry groups. Explicit algorithms are presented for the preparation of the state of a neutron or a proton as resulting from the composition of their quark constituents. We estimate the computational resources required for such a simulation and design a photonic network for its implementation. Moreover, we highlight that current work on three-body interactions in lattices of interacting qubits, combined with the measurement-based paradigm for quantum information processing, may also be suitable for the implementation of these nucleonic spin states.

Propagation of nonclassical correlations across a quantum spin chain

We study the transport of quantum correlations across a chain of interacting spin-1/2 particles. As a quantitative figure of merit, we choose a symmetric version of quantum discord and compare it with the transported entanglement, addressing various operating regimes of the spin medium. Discord turns out to be better transported for a wide range of working points and initial conditions of the system. We relate this behavior to the efficiency of propagation of a single excitation across the spin chain. Moreover, we point out the role played by a magnetic field in the dynamics of discord in the effective channel embodied by the chain. Our analysis can be interestingly extended to transport processes in more complex networks and the study of nonclassical correlations under general quantum channels.

Spin-Based Diagnostic of Nanostructure in Copper Phthalocyanine-C-60 Solar Cell Blends

Nanostructure and molecular orientation play a crucial role in determining the functionality of organic thin films. In practical devices, such as organic solar cells consisting of donor-acceptor mixtures, crystallinity is poor and these qualities cannot be readily determined by conventional diffraction techniques, while common microscopy only reveals surface morphology. Using a simple nondestructive technique, namely, continuous-wave electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, which exploits the well-understood angular dependence of the g-factor and hyperfine tensors, we show that in the solar cell blend of C-60 and copper phthalocyanine (CuPc)-for which X-ray diffraction gives no information-the CuPc, and by implication the C-60, molecules form nanoclusters, with the planes of the CuPc molecules oriented perpendicular to the film surface. This information demonstrates that the current nanostructure in CuPc:C-60 solar cells is far from optimal and suggests that their efficiency could be considerably increased by alternative film growth algorithms.

Spin-wave modes in Ni nanorod arrays studied by Brillouin light scattering

Dynamic magnetic properties of arrays of Ni nanorods with a low aspect ratio have been investigated. It has been shown that the spectra of spin-wave resonances localized on nanorods with a low aspect ratio typically feature the presence of zones with high density of states resulting in a characteristic two-peak pattern of Stokes and anti-Stokes lines of magneto-optical (MO) Brillouin light scattering with pronounced Stokes–anti-Stokes (S-AS) asymmetry. A simple theoretical model based on the analysis of the elliptic character of the polarization of the optical wave interacting with a dipole magnetostatic wave has been proposed. It has been shown that the S-AS asymmetry is due entirely to the asymmetry of the MO interaction efficiency with respect to time reversal of the magnetic precession in a magnon.

WC/CNT, WC/CNT/Pt Composite Material and Preparation Process Therefor and Use Thereof. (International Patent)

(EN)Disclosed are a WC/CNT， WC/CNT/Pt composite material and a preparation process therefor and use thereof. The WC/CNT/Pt composite material comprises mesoporous spherical tungsten carbide with a diameter of 1-5 microns, carbon nanotubes and platinum nano particles, with the carbon nanotubes growing on the surface of the mesoporous spherical tungsten carbide and expanding outward, and the platinum nano particles growing on the surfaces of the mesoporous spherical tungsten carbide and carbon nanotubes. The WC/CNT composite material comprises mesoporous spherical tungsten carbide with a diameter of 1-5 microns, and carbon nanotubes, with the carbon nanotubes growing on the surface of the mesoporous spherical tungsten carbide and expanding outward. The WC/CNT/Pt composite material of the present invention can be used as an electro-catalyst in a methanol flue battery, significantly improving the catalytic conversion rate and the service life of the catalyst. The WC/CNT composite material can be used as an electro-catalyst in the electro-reduction of a nitro aromatic compound, significantly improving the efficiency of organic electro-synthesis.

WC/CNT, WC/CNT/Pt Composite Material and Preparation Process Therefor and Use Thereof. (US patent)

Disclosed are a WC/CNT， WC/CNT/Pt composite material and a preparation process therefor and use thereof. The WC/CNT/Pt composite material comprises mesoporous spherical tungsten carbide with a diameter of 1-5 microns, carbon nanotubes and platinum nano particles, with the carbon nanotubes growing on the surface of the mesoporous spherical tungsten carbide and expanding outward, and the platinum nano particles growing on the surfaces of the mesoporous spherical tungsten carbide and carbon nanotubes. The WC/CNT composite material comprises mesoporous spherical tungsten carbide with a diameter of 1-5 microns, and carbon nanotubes, with the carbon nanotubes growing on the surface of the mesoporous spherical tungsten carbide and expanding outward. The WC/CNT/Pt composite material of the present invention can be used as an electro-catalyst in a methanol flue battery, significantly improving the catalytic conversion rate and the service life of the catalyst. The WC/CNT composite material can be used as an electro-catalyst in the electro-reduction of a nitro aromatic compound, significantly improving the efficiency of organic electro-synthesis.